NFL Playoff Schedule: Who plays Thursday Night football, start time and more

With the 2025 NFL regular season officially in the books, attention has shifted toward the opening weekend of the 2026 NFL Playoffs. As fans prepare for Wild Card Weekend, many are wondering whether Thursday Night Football will return to kick off the postseason—or if the league is sticking to its traditional playoff format.

Here’s a clear breakdown of the NFL playoff schedule, including whether there’s a game on Thursday night, key dates, and what to expect as the road to Super Bowl 2026 begins.

Is there Thursday Night Football during the NFL playoffs?

There is no Thursday Night Football on Thursday, January 8, 2026. The NFL does not schedule playoff games on Thursday, and that tradition remains intact this postseason. With the regular season concluding in Week 18, the league maintains a brief pause before Wild Card Weekend begins.

Thursday Night Football, which airs exclusively on Amazon Prime during the regular season, wrapped up earlier this month. Fans hoping for a playoff opener on Thursday will need to wait a little longer before NFL action resumes.

When did the NFL regular season end?

The 2025 NFL regular season came to a close on Sunday, January 4, 2026, with a dramatic Week 18 Sunday Night Football matchup. The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Baltimore Ravens to secure the AFC North title, officially ending regular-season play and locking in the playoff field.

Once Week 18 concluded, the league transitioned into postseason mode, allowing teams time to prepare for the Wild Card round.

When does Wild Card Weekend begin?

The 2026 NFL Playoffs officially kick off on Saturday, January 10. Wild Card Weekend will feature multiple games spread across Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, giving fans three straight days of postseason football.

As in recent years, the NFL will stagger kickoff times to maximize viewership, with games airing across various broadcast partners and streaming platforms.

Are there any NFL games today?

There are no NFL games scheduled for Thursday, January 8, 2026. The league intentionally avoids games during this window to give playoff teams recovery time and to maintain competitive balance heading into Wild Card Weekend.

Fans looking for football tonight will find action at the college level instead, with the College Football Playoff semifinals taking center stage.

What football can fans watch tonight?

While there’s no NFL action, Thursday night features a major college football matchup. Miami faces Ole Miss in the College Football Playoff Fiesta Bowl at 7:30 p.m. ET. The game will determine one of the finalists for the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship, scheduled for January 19 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

What’s next on the NFL calendar?

Following Wild Card Weekend, the NFL postseason continues with the Divisional Round, Conference Championships, and ultimately Super Bowl 2026. With playoff seeding finalized and matchups set, the league now enters its most critical stretch of the season.